​JA Be Entrepreneurial®

By developing the essential components of a business plan, JA Be Entrepreneurial challenges students to start an entrepreneurial venture while still in school.

JA Be Entrepreneurial is a series of seven required lessons. The average time for each lesson is 60 minutes. Materials are packaged in a self- contained kit that includes detailed lesson plans for the volunteer and materials for students.

Students are introduced to the elements of successful business start-ups, myths and facts about entrepreneurship, and early product development. They develop their product or service idea by analyzing various sources of successful entrepreneurial ventures, culminating in their selection of a product or service as the basis of their business plan.

​Students will be able to:

Recognize the elements of a successful business start-up;

Evaluate myths and facts about entrepreneurship;

Consider product-development options;

Recognize the importance of carefully selecting their product or service before starting their business;

Apply their passions, talents, and skills to a market-needs assessment to determine the basis of their business plan;

Recognize the importance of analyzing their market;

Apply a needs assessment to the market available to a specific product;

Define competitive advantages and recognize them in other businesses;

Demonstrate the importance of selecting competitive advantages that give their product and market an edge on the competition;

Evaluate competitive advantages;

Select competitive advantages that drive a developing business venture;

Evaluate short- and long-term consequences in making ethical decisions;

Express that being ethical can be good for business;

Compile entrepreneurial elements into a sample business plan.

All JA programs are designed to support the skills and competencies identified by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. JA programs also augment school-based, work-based, and connecting activities for communities with school-to-work initiatives.